The Institute for Industrial Decarbonisation

This program focusses on ‘Power to X’  - coupling renewable electricity and hydrogen with clean manufacturing technology to create green industrial products.Research activity includes:

• Green metal production – for example, direct reduction iron (DRI)
• Production of hydrogen and ammonia using solar catalysis
• Development of green plastics that do not require petrochemical feedstocks
• Development of low carbon cements for use in buildings and infrastructure
• Strategies for whole of lifecycle efficiency, resource recovery and reuse
• The techno-economics needed to underpin smart investment in next generation refineries, smelters and factories

Decarbonising the resources sector requires optimising the environmental and operational efficiency of every aspect of mining systems, from exploration through to early-stage processing.

This program is led by UNSW’s Mineral and Energy Resources school, leveraging expertise across other engineering schools, including computer science, energy, civil and chemical engineering.

Research activities include:

• Demand driven supply of strategic metal ores

• Deploying advances in sensing and automation 

• Life cycle analysis for mining processes 

• Innovation in mine site material handing to minimise energy usage

• Precinct-based development models based on shared infrastructure

Reducing the carbon embodied in the lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure demands more deeply integrated approaches to the design and management of urban systems. Led jointly by the Built Environment and Civil Engineering schools, this program also leverages expertise across computer science, materials science, energy, business and law.

Activities include: 

• Experimental designs, prototyping and validation for low carbon buildings and infrastructure
• Aligning decarbonisation measures with climate response, community health and amenity objectives
• Working with peak industry bodies and government to accelerate evolution of national accreditation systems, planning schemes and building codes that incentivise use of low carbon materials and design solutions
• Integrating energy efficiency factors, future renewable distribution, storage and distribution systems within the built environment.
• Leveraging automation, simulation and advanced manufacturing technologies to optimise construction processes e.g. smart modular prefabrication
  

This program links UNSW expertise across economics, techno-economics, planning and carbon accounting disciplines, with expertise in computing and AI. Industrial decarbonisation is immensely complex due to interdependencies across global supply chains, temporal factors, and the multiplicity of technologies within production processes. Alternative clean technologies, processes and design solutions must be interoperable, cost effective, and in many sectors must satisfy mission critical performance criteria. Likewise, market access, geographic and infrastructure planning considerations are critical to prospects for green industry development. Advanced modelling and simulation, leveraging the power of digital technologies, can significantly de-risk investment and transition processes.

Activities include:

• Working with industry software providers to embed carbon accounting and net decarbonisation insights into operational software platforms
• Bespoke macroeconomic and techno-economic modelling comparing alternate pathway scenarios for investment in green industry
• ‘Digital twin’ models for key supply chains
• Novel applications of big data and AI to transition scenario modelling 

No nation or company can tackle decarbonisation in isolation from its trade partners and change drivers in the global economy. In addition to climate, these drivers include improving national self-sufficiency for critical materials,  increasing supply chain resilience, the implications of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) and opportunities for green trade alliances.

The Institute is engaging with agencies, corporations and peak industry bodies to help navigate these issues and chart sustainable development pathways for Australia and regional allies. This program draws on activities and outputs of the other five programs and involves close collaboration with the UNSW Global Division. 

Activities include: 

• Macroeconomic and techno-economic insights comparing alternate pathway scenarios for investment in green industry
  
• Supporting UNSW leadership in peak strategic engagement processes
• Input to Australian industry development policy such as “Future Made in Australia” with regard to technology readiness and clean tech acceleration
• Provision of modelling and insights relevant to the location and master planning of green industry precincts
• Provision of insights regarding technological trends and shifting trade dynamics
• Supporting Australian bilateral and multilateral relationships via collaboration with international research and education partners

Planning, design, technological and nature positive solutions for built environment, energy, ICT, water and transport infrastructure.  

Activities include:

• Infrastructure prioritisation insights with a view to national comparative advantage, resilience and netzero targets
• Innovation across elecricity infrastructure to reduce cost, increase reliability and fast track supply to net zero industrial precincts
• Infrastructure instrumentation and digital control solutions, leveraging next generation technologies (IoT, sensing, automation,  digital twins)
  
• Critical ICT infrastructure (design solutions and cooling technologies for sustainable expansion of the Australian Data Centre sector)
• Augmenting natural ecological systems for mitigating drought, heat island effects and extreme events (eg  the scientific evidence base for strategic revegetation to slow surface water movement and reduce catastrophic flooding).